Is New Orleans really sinking? Well, there are those that think so. At least that’s what some people would like you to think, because that notion sells. You know the drama of it all.

So Is New Orleans Sinking? The Tragically Hip Think So. What Say You?

Anyway, I found this Canadian band called The Tragically Hip performing this song a little while after Hurricane Katrina. During that tragic time when the federally built floodwalls failed (take note Sacramento and any other place in the country that’s got protective structures built by the Corps of Engineers) the news media just loved to paint the picture that New Orleans was sinking and all of it was below sea level.

Of course, like what most of the news media likes to put forth as “truth,” most of it was untrue. Yes, we do have some places in the city that have neighborhoods built on drained swamp land which are in effect a few feet below sea level. These were the places inundated by water that burst through poorly built and maintained federal floodwalls. The older parts of the city remained high and dry because these are at or above sea level. And they are not sinking.

Anyway, I’d never heard this song before and I like it. Although, I can’t really understand the words. So I’ve included the lyrics here. Being a songwriter myself I can really appreciate the lyrics, and these are great!

New Orleans Is Sinking

Bourbon blues on the street, loose and complete
Under skies all smoky blue green
I can’t forsake a dixie dead shake
So we danced the sidewalk clean

My memory is muddy, what’s this river that I’m in?
New Orleans is sinking, man, and I don’t want to swim

Colonel Tom, what’s wrong? What’s going on?
You can’t tie yourself up for a deal
He said, Hey, north, you’re south, shut your big mouth
You gotta do what you feel is real

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“It is better to live here in sackcloth and ashes than own the entire state of Ohio.” — Lafcadio Hearn…. New Orleans is one of the most magical cities in the world. There is something about this city that has a tendency to take hold of you and won’t let go. If you are born […]more →